TO OUR DADS...

You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of fatherhood—how we need to get dads back into the home and that they have an essential role in restoring the family unit. Our society looks to our dads as the “fixers”; we wait for them to step up to the plate.

Yet, what does it mean to “get back in the home” and be a good father? It’s a nebulous term that isn’t exactly encouraging for the fathers who tirelessly sacrifice their time, energy, and resources for their families. With an expectation that they can “fix” our society, perhaps we forget about the little everyday acts of care and support that dads do for our families.

Today, we celebrate the small things.

In honor of our fathers, we would love to share some moments when our Morning Center dads experienced what was often their first taste of fatherhood—small moments when our fathers simply showed up.

Our lead sonographer, Olevia, shares what she noticed about dads during her time at the Memphis Morning Center, “I know it sounds cheesy or corny, but dads really just sit there and are in awe of their baby.” Olevia notes that she can observe the dads interacting with their babies even before birth and are fascinated with figuring out what characteristics are from which side of the family.

“He definitely has my nose, but those are your eyes!”

She also shares how fathers react when there are complications with the mom’s pregnancy: “You get to see him step up and be the dad that he is already; you get to see him comfort mom and diligently provide as much care for her and baby as possible.”

“There is just something about watching dads experience that and immediately going into protector mode with real intent, interest, and care.”

She also fondly laughs over how dads scramble to grab the sonograph pictures for their wallets even before the moms can get their hands on them. It’s these small acts of love that stuck with Olevia.

Matt, father of five, shares, “As with many aspects of our humanity, fatherhood is a complicated concept. We frequently think of it in simplistic terms of what we understand to be a good or bad father. What is a ‘good’ father? 

It can be challenging to put a finger on all that we are thanking our dads for—it’s too broad. That’s why we tell stories. Father’s Day is not a day about what should be but a celebration of what already is.

Yet, one other component—perhaps most important to good fatherhood—is leaning into the direction of the Spirit in the pursuit of fatherhood. This is the celebration of what fatherhood can be.

Matt continues, “Why? Why bother to be a better father? Because the expectation when you say ‘yes’ to Jesus is that you are on a lifetime path to becoming more like Jesus. It doesn’t end at a certain age. There is always a way I can become someone better. I co-labor with Christ to become more like Christ because my spirit recognizes that it is a righteous endeavor, leading to the most fulfilling life.”

“What we model for our children is what they will understand they should exhibit. The ultimate honor for a father is children who desire to become more like Jesus.”

So today, instead of harping on the importance of fatherhood—don’t misunderstand, this is an issue near and dear to our hearts at the Morning Center—but rather, share a story about your dad, father figure, or spiritual father and thank them for who you are today. 

We have the power to inspire future generations of fathers simply by being grateful for the ones we have. 

Join us as we celebrate the small things. 

Happy Father's Day!